cd changer error reading in radio

[jeff325is]

I have a 325is that the cd changer was not working when I purchased it I tinkered with the cd changer but could not figure out what was wrong. I then found a replacement on line of the same exact changer when I connected it up the radio still reads cd error on the display, I can hear the changer power up but it is as if the radio is still thinking that I have the previous changer in. Is there a reset process that I have to do or have I gotten a bad changer? does anybody know?

[SRFast]

I have a 325is that the cd changer was not working when I purchased it I tinkered with the cd changer but could not figure out what was wrong. I then found a replacement on line of the same exact changer when I connected it up the radio still reads cd error on the display, I can hear the changer power up but it is as if the radio is still thinking that I have the previous changer in. Is there a reset process that I have to do or have I gotten a bad changer? does anybody know?

Have you checked the connection behind the radio? I installed a BMW OEM Pioneer CD changer in my 1993 325i in 1994 and remember that I had to make a connection to the radio. The car was prewired for the CD changer, but the radio end of the cable was not terminated in the radio until the changer was installed/present. You should check to ensure this cable is securly seated in the radio.

To remove the radio, you need to "flip up" the two (2) tabs (one on each side of the radio) and use a small allen wrench to loosen the screws. BMW actually sells a tool to do this, but you can use a small flat blade screwdriver and an allen wrench from your tool box.

Hope this helps....JL

[jeff325is]

I checked the rear of the radio and it looks like all wires are firmly attached i wiggled and pressed on them to make sure. There were the obvious colored wires that run the speakers and power then there were two solid black thick wires one I assume is the antenna and the other the cd changer. I checked all of these but still get cd error I think I will take it to an electronic shop to see if they can determine the problem. If anybody else has any other ideas I would love to hear thank you for the advice. Jeff

[zachgeo]

My error code was caused by a cd stuck in the player. When I bought the car, it did not have the cd magazine, and I assumed that's why I had an error code. So I bought a one on ebay. I proceeded to load the magazine up and put it in, and found that I still had an error code. At some point, out of exhasperation, I just stuck the empty cartridge in. I also unplugged the cd player and plugged it back in (from the rear connection, not from the radio end). When I started it all up again, the player inserted the stuck cd neatly into the cartridge, and I was then able to eject it. It's worked fine ever since.

It seems unlikely, but maybe both your original and replacement players have stuck cds? It's not like you can see the thing, so other than getting the player to eject it into the empy magazine, or opening up the player, there's no real way to tell...

[SRFast]

I checked the rear of the radio and it looks like all wires are firmly attached i wiggled and pressed on them to make sure. There were the obvious colored wires that run the speakers and power then there were two solid black thick wires one I assume is the antenna and the other the cd changer. I checked all of these but still get cd error I think I will take it to an electronic shop to see if they can determine the problem. If anybody else has any other ideas I would love to hear thank you for the advice. Jeff

You might want to check one more thing before taking it to the shop. Check to see if all the wires on the CD changer end of the cable are all intact and firmly seated in the connector.

Good luck...JL

[wavewuver]

My CD player for my 1995 325i has been acting up lately. It doesn't play some CD's at all, and doesn't like to skip tracks. I read online somewhere of two possible problems. First, could be related to a dirty lens on the laser. I thought I could see the lens by just opening the cassett door, but that's not possible. So, I removed the outer cabinet of the player but I still don't see the laser. My next step is to remove the bottom part of the case to see if there is anything visible from the bottom. The second issue could be an adjustment to a "potentiometer". I don't know yet if mine has this, but it's some type of electrical device that adjusts the voltage to your laser. It apparently is part of a circuit board some place in the CD player and has an adjustable screw that can be turned either way to make a change. Only a slight change is needed according to what I read. If I have any success, I'll make another post. Perhaps this info will help someone else out.

[SRFast]

My CD player for my 1995 325i has been acting up lately. It doesn't play some CD's at all, and doesn't like to skip tracks. I read online somewhere of two possible problems. First, could be related to a dirty lens on the laser. I thought I could see the lens by just opening the cassett door, but that's not possible. So, I removed the outer cabinet of the player but I still don't see the laser. My next step is to remove the bottom part of the case to see if there is anything visible from the bottom. The second issue could be an adjustment to a "potentiometer". I don't know yet if mine has this, but it's some type of electrical device that adjusts the voltage to your laser. It apparently is part of a circuit board some place in the CD player and has an adjustable screw that can be turned either way to make a change. Only a slight change is needed according to what I read. If I have any success, I'll make another post. Perhaps this info will help someone else out.

Why don't you just go to your local computer super store and buy a laser cleaning CD? It if fairly inexpensive: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=209373

Hope this helps....JL

[LmtdSlip]

I bought my changer second hand on ebay. When the seller shipped it he didnt do a good job of sealing the opening from the packing material. So a few peanuts were inside the unit.

I picked a couple out and had to use compressed air to get the last one out. I got the Disk error signal until every last peanut was out.

I am guessing there is some foreign object in your player. Or a leftover CD.